The Regional Assembly has responsibilities in six key areas:

• Regional Planning
• Regional Housing
• Regional Transport
• Advocacy
• Alignment
• Accountability

Regional Planning

Preparing and delivering the South East Plan, the 20-year statutory plan that sets the framework for the sustainable development of the region. It sets out a vision for the future of the region to 2026, outlining how we need to respond to the opportunities and challenges we face such as housing, the economy, transport and protecting the environment. Our aim is to ensure that South East England remains economically successful and an attractive place to live for future generations.

The draft South East Plan has been submitted to Government and is expected to be adopted in 2008. For the latest information on the Plan's development see the South East Plan page.

Local planning

Once approved, the South East Plan will form a part of the statutory planning framework for local authorities throughout the region. Local development documents will need to conform to regional policies.

Regionally significant planning applications

The Regional Assembly has to be consulted on large regionally significant planning applications. Local authorities are obliged to ask the Regional Assembly for its views on how well major development proposals fit with regional planning policies.

Regional planning covers a wide range of topics. Find out More.

Regional Housing

The South East England Regional Housing Board (RHB) is a partnership board chaired by the South East England Regional Assembly.

The RHB was established in February 2003 under the chairmanship of the Government Office for the South East. The Regional Assembly took responsibility for the RHB in April 2006.

The RHB is tasked with:

• Developing a regional housing strategy
• Agreeing regional priorities to inform advice to Government on funding allocations
• Monitoring progress against the regional housing strategy
• Advising Government on funding priorities for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople pitches.

Find out More.

Regional Transport

The South East England Regional Transport Board (RTB) is chaired and run by the Regional Assembly. There are six Assembly members, as well as representatives from Network Rail, the Highways Agency, the Confederation of Passenger Transport, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and Government Office for the South East (GOSE).

The Board's role is to advise Government on South East transport investment priorities, especially reducing congestion and increasing the take up of public transport. Find out More.

Advocacy

Pressing South East England's interests in London and Brussels. For example, we argue the region's case for extra investment through Regional Funding Allocation and Comprehensive Spending Review submissions to Government. We also press for policy changes from national Government and the EU that support South East England's priorities. Find out More.

Alignment

We work to co-ordinate regional priorities across a wide range of organisations in South East England to maximise the impact of public sector investment in the region. The Regional Sustainability Framework sets out the strategic goals for South East England and we maintain a shared agenda through regular dialogues with regional bodies such as the NHS, Environment Agency and Learning and Skills Council. Find out More.

Accountability

SEEDA, the regional development agency, is accountable to the Regional Assembly for its performance in delivering regional economic development in South East England that meets the region's needs and priorities. We scrutinise SEEDA's plans and their impact both through regular reports to the Assembly Executive Committee and full Assembly and a programme of three select committees each year. Find out More.

Read our frequently asked questions or see a map of the region.